Political Landscape: Leece, Snowden, Dixon back Foley for council
This post has been corrected, as noted below.
Costa Mesa City Council candidate Katrina Foley recently announced a slate of endorsements from public officials past and present.
The former councilwoman, and current school board trustee, earned backing from Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Wendy Leece, former Costa Mesa Police Chief Dave Snowden, former Mayor Linda Dixon, former Mayor and current Coast Community College board member Mary Hornbuckle, school board President Karen Yelsey, school trustee Dana Black, Mesa Sanitation District members Mike Scheafer and Jim Ferryman and Bob Ooten and OC Fair board member Ashleigh Aitken.
“These community leaders represent different neighborhoods, different political parties and different approaches to local government, but they are united in their support for Katrina Foley for Costa Mesa City Council,” according to a news release from the candidate’s campaign.
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Rohrabacher backs Dixon, Capitelli
U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) recently made two endorsements in local City Council races.
The six-term congressman backed businesswoman Diane Dixon in her bid for the Newport Beach City Council’s 1st District seat.
Dixon has all but locked up the position since her only competitor, Michael Glenn, decided to withdraw from the contest to focus on running his business.
“Diane is a smart, savvy and accomplished businesswoman,” Rohrabacher said, according to a news release. “She’s a perfect fit for Newport Beach, with her belief in small government and in protecting citizens’ personal and property rights.”
Rohrabacher also backed Tony Capitelli for Costa Mesa City Council. Capitelli works as an aide in the congressman’s district office.
“Tony works really hard, and he’s got a wonderful heart and soul,” Rohrabacher said. “What more could voters want?”
Capitelli is also the son-in-law of Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry, who is running for state Assembly. Curry, meanwhile, recently announced that he was endorsed by the Orange County Taxpayers Assn.
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Englebrecht will not raise money for race
Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commissioner Roy Englebrecht announced that he will not seek or accept campaign contributions in his Nov. 4 bid for Newport Beach City Council.
Englebrecht, who owns Fight Club OC, is running for the council in District 4. Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, who is termed out, currently holds the seat.
“I truly believe that political contributions change the complexion of who you are both as a person and how you govern, and I don’t want that hanging over me every time I have to cast a vote,” Englebrecht said, according to a news release. “... Regardless of what any other candidate says to the contrary, it is only human nature to be influenced in some way when you accept a campaign contribution.”
Englebrecht is running against Planning Commissioner Tim Brown and businessman Kevin Muldoon.
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Monthly Tea Party meeting
U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and attorney Shawn Steel of the Republican National Committee plan to address the monthly meeting of the Newport-Mesa Tea Party at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Halecrest Swim & Tennis Club, 3107 Killybrooke Lane, in Costa Mesa.
Steel is married to Michelle Steel, who is running for the Orange County Board of Supervisors against Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa).
For more information, call (714) 612-6864.
*For the record: An earlier version of this post incorrectly described Bob Ooten as a member of the Mesa Water Board. In fact, he is a member of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District board. In addition, Dave Snowden was called Costa Mesa police chief when, in fact, he is a former CMPD police chief.